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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. J. TURNER.

DEVICE FOR AGTUATING SIGNALS 0N RAILWAYS. No. 374,917. Patented Dec. 13, 1887.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J.. J. TURNER.

DEVICE FOR AGTUATING SIGNALS 0N RAILWAYS.

No. 374,917. Patented Dec. 18, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. TURNER, OF RICHMOND, IFDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOHN F. MILLER, OF SAME PLACE.

DEVICE FOR ACTUATING SIGNALS ON RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 374,917, dated December 13, 1887.

Application lilcd March 22,1887. Serial No. 231,908. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES J. TURNER, of Richmond, county of Wayne, State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Actuating Signals on Railways, of which the following is a true and exact description, due reference being had to the drawings which accompany-and form part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to so combine the actuating connection or connections of one or more signals with a railway-switch and switchlock that the signal safety shall be automatically given as soon as the switch connecting the route'is securely locked in position, and the signal danger shall be automatically given as soon as or a little before the switch-lock is retracted from its engagement with the switch. The advantages I seek are to dispense entirely with an independent signalconnection and at the same time so arrange my device that the signal will always correctly indicate the condition of the route.

Reference being now had to the drawings, which illustrate my invention in what I consider to be its best and most useful form and application, Figure 1 is a plan view showing the switch-lock and my device for actuating a signal in connection with it. Fig. 2 is asiinilar plan view of the signal-actuating device in the position it assumes when the switch is locked. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the switch-lock and signal-actuating device. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the switch-actuating device. Fig. 5 is a view or diagram illustrating a useful combination of my device with a switch, a double switch-lock, devices for actuating the switches and switchiock, and signals governing the two routes controlled by the switch; and Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate modifications of my signal-actuating device.

A is a frame or casting upon which is secured a bearing, A, in which the bolt of the switch-lock moves. It is advisable to connect the other bearings and pivots forming a part of the mechanism for actuating the bolt with this frame.

B is apart of the switch; B, a plate secured to it and containing a bolt hole or holes, into which the locking-bolt slides in looking the switch.

0 is a connecting-rod which acluates the switch-bolt, and G a switchiocking bolt. To this bolt 0', I secure a bar, D, which extends over the bar B and has at its outer end a dcvice, E, for actuating a connecting-line leading to the signal. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, this device consists of slots e a formed in the bar D. In these slots apin, 9, attached to one end, G, of a bell-crank lever, G G, is secured. 6c

F is a base or guide plate having guidesff, in which the end E of the bar D moves, and having also secured in it the pivotf of the bell-crank lever G G.

ing the bolt 0' forward to lock the switch the rod or bar D moves forward with it, its slotted end E moving along the pin 9 without actuating the bellcrank G G until the pin comes into the slot 6, when the bell-crank G G is moved, as shown in Fig. 2, moving the signals 7 Jto safety through the connection H. The position of the slot c with respect to the bolt 0 may be arranged so that the signal is not given until the switch is fullylocked, the long slot e permitting any desired motion of the bar D without affecting the lever G G. This slot e also serves as a compensator, permitting a considerable variation in the position of the bar D and of its end E without in any way affecting the position of the signal or the operation of the device; By this means variations in the length of the lock-actuating connection are rendered harmless.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modification of the switch-actuating device secured at the end of 0 the bar D. In place of the bell-crank lever G G, I provide a toothed segment, G with a lever-arm, G connected with the signal-line H. The toothed arc of this segment is made to correspond to the amount of angular mo- 5 tion which it is desired to give to the lever G, and on each side of this toothed are are plain surfaces 9 In place of the slots 6 e, I provide teeth 6 in the end E of the bar D, said teeth corresponding with the teeth 9 in the rco segment G and having at each end a tooth, e extending above the level of the others and above the level of the plain surface of the bar E. This device, as will at once be seen, operates in the same way as the one already described, the movement of bar D having no effect upon the lever-arm G and connection H until the elevated teeth 0 come in con tact with the end teeth of the are in which event the said are is engaged with the teeth 6* on the bar E and the lever G is moved through the required distance to actuate the signal. It will of course be at once seen that this device is a very excellent compensator, making any variation in the length and position of bar D immaterial.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated another modification of the signal-actuating device E. An inclined slot, 0, is made in the plate E, terminating at each end in parallel slots 6''. A pin, 72, connected directly with the signal-line H, is secured in this slot, and, as will be at once seen, the motion of the plate E may be made to actuate the signal-connection at any desired point in its throw.

In Fig. 5, K is a switch-actuating lever, having a connection, it, which moves the switch B, and a connection, 70, which changes the fulcrum-point of a link or bar, L, secured in a frame, L. M is a lever having a connec tion, m, which actuates the link L, m beinga connection from the link L to a double switchlock, N, the said switch-lock being actuated in one of two directions, according to the position of the fulcrum-point of the link L. G O are the bolts of the double switch-lock N, said bolts having each barsD and signalactuating devices E attached to them.

In the drawings, Fig. 5, I have represented a device like that shown in Fig. 1 as actuating signal J through connection H, and a device like that shown in Fig. 2 as actuating signal J through connection H. v

The various devices which I have shown as attached to the bar D connected with the signal-line are all efficient and well adapted for use in this connection; but any of the many well-known devices for converting or transmitting motion may be substituted for them, the particular form of the device not being of the essence of my invention.

Having now described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with the bolt of a railway-switch lock, abar or rod secured directly to said bolt, a device, E, or its equivalent, secured to the said bar, and a signal-connection connected with and actuated by said device E or its equivalent, all substantially as specified, and so that,while the motions of the signal in both directions depend upon the movements of the switch-bolt, said signal is not moved to safety until after the switch is locked, and is moved to danger before said switch is unlocked 2. The combination, with a railway-switch having a plate, B, provided with detents for the switch-locking bolts, of the locking-bolt having its bearings secured on one side of said plate, a signal-actuating device secured on the other side of said plate, and a bar, D, connecting the bolt and signal-actuating device, said bar crossing but not engaging the bar B, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

J AMES J. TURNER.

Vitnesses:

J. H. Snwan'rz, E. P. HUTroN. 

